Australia is on the brink of a significant leap in renewable energy, as Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has approved the first stage of the Sun Cable Australia-Power Link project. This initiative is poised to become the largest renewable and storage project globally, marking a major milestone in the nation’s green energy ambitions.
The initial phase of the Sun Cable project includes the construction of an 800-kilometre transmission link from a pastoral property near Elliott in the Northern Territory to Darwin. This development will enable the installation of up to 10 gigawatts of solar power and battery storage, with the capacity to generate up to 4 gigawatts of continuous green power around the clock.
In addition to the terrestrial infrastructure, the approval covers a subsea cable extending to the edge of Australian waters. This is designed with future expansion in mind, specifically for the second stage of the project, which aims to export low-cost wind and solar energy to Singapore and other countries. The second phase is projected to achieve up to 6 gigawatts of continuous green power generation.
The Sun Cable initiative, supported by software billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, was initially envisioned to encompass 20 gigawatts of solar power and up to 42 gigawatt-hours of battery storage, with a 4,200-kilometre subsea cable intended to connect to Singapore. However, the project’s scope has evolved over time. Disagreements with fellow green energy advocate Andrew Forrest, who advocated for a focus on green hydrogen, led to a strategic pivot. The involvement of Quinbrook Infrastructure has further reshaped the project, which now plans to balance between solar and wind energy. This new configuration is expected to feature approximately 12 gigawatts of each technology, reducing the need for extensive battery storage due to the wind power’s evening production.
The project’s staged approach now includes an initial phase aimed at supplying power to emerging green industries around Darwin, particularly in the Middle Harbour precinct. The first stage will deliver 900 megawatts of continuous power, scaling up to 4 gigawatts from the solar and battery installations located on a former pastoral station between Elliot and Tennant Creek. The longer-term vision includes providing an additional 1.7 gigawatts of continuous power to Singapore via the subsea cable, with final metrics and additional approvals pending further studies on wind resources and potential customers.
Plibersek has hailed the project as a transformative force for the Northern Territory, predicting it will foster a green manufacturing sector in Darwin and create long-term employment opportunities in remote areas. She praised the initiative as a defining piece of infrastructure, elevating Australia to a leadership role in global green energy.
“This massive project is a generation-defining piece of infrastructure. It will be the largest solar precinct in the world – and heralds Australia as the world leader in green energy,” Plibersek remarked. “Not only will this project help turn Australia into a renewable energy superpower, it will be a huge boost for the Northern Territory economy.”
Plibersek also took the opportunity to criticise Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s nuclear energy proposals, contrasting them unfavourably with the Sun Cable project’s renewable strategy. She argued that the solar project would provide significantly more power at a lower cost compared to a proposed 700-megawatt nuclear facility, highlighting the financial and logistical challenges associated with nuclear energy.
“We have no idea what the equivalent to Peter Dutton’s anti-renewables nuclear plan might be because there are no details other than it being too slow and too expensive for Australia,” Plibersek stated.
The project has been approved with strict environmental conditions designed to protect local wildlife, including the Greater Bilby and other critical habitats. This approval follows a recent green light from the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority for up to 10 gigawatts of solar and storage capacity, along with the necessary transmission infrastructure.
Sun Cable is now poised to advance through development, commercial, and engineering phases, aiming for a final investment decision by 2027. Electricity production is anticipated to commence in the 2030s. Sun Cable CEO Cameron Garnsworthy expressed optimism about the project’s progress, noting that the recent approval marks a vote of confidence in both the project and the company’s commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.
“Sun Cable is a company founded on a vision to help decarbonise the planet,” Garnsworthy said. “Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence in the project and Sun Cable itself as responsible stewards of the local Northern Territory environment. Sun Cable will now focus its efforts on the next stage of planning to advance the project towards a Final Investment Decision targeted by 2027.”
The ambitious scale of the Sun Cable project has also attracted attention from high-profile figures in the tech world. Elon Musk has publicly acknowledged the initiative’s impressive scope, adding to the project’s growing profile.
As Australia prepares to embark on this monumental green energy endeavour, the Sun Cable Australia-Power Link stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to renewable energy and its potential to set a new benchmark for global sustainability efforts.
